Chamber talks of successes, honors those who strived

By JOHN KOZIOL

Thursday

Jan 28, 2010 at 3:15 AMJan 28, 2010 at 5:42 AM

While looking forward to a prosperous 2010, the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday also looked back on 2009 and recognized the many businesses, groups and individuals who helped make the past year a success.

Hundreds of Chamber members gathered at the Inn at Church Landing for the annual luncheon and membership meeting, which included the re-election of the current slate of officers and the presentation of several awards for service to the chamber and the greater Laconia-Franklin community.

Sandy Marshall, who is the new head of the Chamber's Board of Directors, said last year the organization introduced a new event to its calendar, Cool Bikes and Hot Wings, launched the Lakes Region Traveler, a monthly electronic newsletter that goes out to persons who are interested in visiting the Lakes Region, and also launched an interactive online brochure, hosted a meeting of the Executive Council; and moved the Chamber's Franklin office.

This year, Marshall, who is director of volunteer and community services for LRGHealthcare, said the Chamber plans to distribute 75,000 travel/information brochures in the Boston and Montreal areas as well as throughout New Hampshire.

An online auction will replace the Chamber's silent auction at the annual Business Showcase, she continued, and there's a new, full-color quarterly newsletter, "Connect." Also, the chamber is working on a network for young professionals and "Chamber Mail," a direct-mail marketing piece.

Marshall thanked outgoing board members Norm Paquette, Mike Seymour and Jim Adams for their service and welcomed new members Barry Leonard, Christine Harris and David McGreevy.

Earlier during the luncheon, the Chamber presented Golden Trowel awards for renovations and Golden Hammer awards for new construction.

Golden Trowel recipients were Eased Edges for transforming an existing building on Court Street "into a wonderful addition to the entryway into Laconia;" the Naswa Resort for replacing a foundation and upgrading balconies and its waterfront appearance; the Wolfeboro Inn for its interior and exterior renovations; the City of Laconia for improvements to Robbie Mills Field in order to accommodate a collegiate-league baseball team; and Lakes Region Community College for its $2 million investment in the Robert H. Turner building.

Golden Hammer recipients were CVS Pharmacy for its new store in Franklin; TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Gilford; Laconia Middle School; YDC Precision Machine in Franklin and the Gilford Community Church for its new 10,000-square-foot community center.

The Laconia Area Community Land Trust received the chamber's Community Vision Award, which is presented to a group "demonstrating community involvement for the betterment of its residents." In 2009, the LACLT opened Pinecrest Apartments and the Frances Court Manufactured Housing Park, located off Boynton Road in Meredith.

Gunstock Mountain Resort received the chamber's Environmental Award for upgrades to its snowmaking equipment, which is five times more efficient than what it replaced while using less energy.

The J. Bart Conners Award for service to the chamber was presented to John Malm, who is vice president of relationship banking at Meredith Village Savings Bank, while Darcy Peary was named the Chamber's Ambassador of the Year Award.

Marshall said Malm was "someone who values community and is recognized as someone who sets a goal, decides to become part of an organization and then commits 110 percent to meeting the goal." Although Malm doesn't seek the "limelight," he nonetheless stands out in a crowd, Marshal continued, "because of the warm smile and bright personality."

Malm was instrumental in helping the Chamber move into its new headquarters on South Main Street in Laconia, Marshall said, and was also involved in the merger of the Laconia and Franklin chambers.

"John's accomplishments are many and the Lakes Region is lucky to have someone like John who gives back so much," Marshall said.

Chamber Ambassador Elaine Blinn of the Belknap Point Motel said Peary "has been a part of many of our event committees, working almost all of our Business after Hours and showing up for numerous events always with a smile."

Peary, said Blinn, "has become a go-to ambassador for the chamber. No task is too small or too large."

The 91st Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Awards and Membership Meeting ended with the election of the chamber officers, who, in addition to Marshall, are Mark Edelstein of Lakes Region Community College, first vice chairman; Travis Cole of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, second vice chairman; Penny Raby, of Malone, Dirubbo & Co. P.C., treasurer; and Karmen Gifford, of Lakes Region Community Services, secretary.

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